A fir is a type of evergreen tree with needle-like leaves and cones that grows in cooler climates. Firs belong to the pine family and keep their green needles all year round, even in the coldest winters. Their needles are soft and flat, attached individually to the branches rather than in clusters like pine needles. When you brush against a fir branch, it often feels softer than the sharp poke of a spruce.

Firs grow tall and straight with branches that spread out in regular layers, giving them a classic Christmas tree shape. The Douglas fir is one of the most common types in North America and can grow over 200 feet tall. The balsam fir smells wonderful and is a favorite for Christmas trees because of its fragrant needles and strong branches for holding ornaments.

These trees produce upright cones that sit on top of branches like candles. Firs provide homes for birds and shelter for animals, and their wood is used for building houses and making paper. When you walk through a fir forest, especially after rain, the air fills with a fresh, clean scent that many people think of as the smell of evergreen trees.